News & Events

Battle not over for priority wheelchair access to buses

Unity Law, the group representing Doug Paulley in his case against First Bus Group, has requested permission to appeal over wheelchair users being given priority access to the wheelchair bay on buses.

After being told he could not board a bus because a pushchair user refused to give up the space, Doug Paulley won his case against First in 2013. When the ruling was overturned last year by the Court of Appeal, Doug Paulley and his team pledged to fight on and have now lodged papers with the Supreme Court.

According to the news release from Unity Law: “Given the strength of feeling on the issue and the significance of the decision on all disabled public transport users, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have agreed that his case is of strategic wider public importance and are providing financial assistance to allow him [Doug Paulley] to proceed.”

The Equality and Hunan Rights Commission added that they are funding the case: “because of the importance for many disabled people of using public transport” and “the wider legal implications in relation to disabled people’s ability to enjoy access to other facilities.”